This is an evolving, collaborative effort between Vote Your Hopes, voters, candidates and journalists. A primary goal is to provide voters with some insights they might not get from other sources.

Candidates have many opportunities to promote their positions and passions in campaign literature, ads, and speeches. Achieving their goals may require working with others who are equally passionate about very different positions. We’re offering candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to find common ground, work constructively with others who may have a very different perspective, and seek solutions that benefit the greatest possible number of citizens. Our questions are broad and open to interpretation, just as issues faced by our representatives may be both complex and ambiguous.

As you read each candidate’s response, consider:

• Has this candidate demonstrated a thorough understanding of complex issues?
• Has this candidate demonstrated an ability to turn hopes into reality when there’s strong opposition?
• How might this candidate work with, or represent, others who have a very different perspective?
• How might this candidate handle issues that no one anticipated before the election?
• What could happen if everyone follows this candidate’s example?
• How is this candidate likely to vote on certain issues?

If you find these questions and responses helpful, or if you want a more detailed response, tell the candidates.